Wing target apparatus



Oct. 20, 1936. .c. BAUMAN WING TARGET APPARATUS Original Fi led Feb. 5, 1955 :1 1 vu c-wtof Louis L'. Baurnan Patented Oct. 20, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 5, 1935, Serial No, 5,121 Renewed AprilJG, 1936' 9 Claims. (01. 124-17 Y My invention relates to a wing target apparatus.

The object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to including a target element of the wing type mounted upon a propelled or projectable carrier with the element so formed as to simulate a bird on the wing when the carrier is projected.

A further object of my invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of the class referred to including a projectable target element of the wing type which is so formed as to decrease its resistance to air when projected upwardly and to cause itto balloon when descending, whereby its'fiutter is increased.

A' further object of my invention is to provid in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a wing target apparatus including a target structure propelled" by the exploded charge of abl-ank cartridge, a holding element for normally and slidably supporting the target structure in the path of the products from the exploded charge, 5, with the holding element having means for firing the cartridge.

A further object of my invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a wing target apparatus including the holding element,

as aforesaid, having means, when the targetelement is propelled, to shield the operators hand from injury caused by the products of the ex ploded charge employed to propel the target element through the air. e

A further object of my invention is to provide,

in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatusof the class referred to, including a target of the. wing type capable of being contracted in its upward flight and extended on its descent.

To the above ends. essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, my invention consists of such parts and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wing target apparatus,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the target element,

5 Figure 3"is a perspective view of the target and its carrier element assembled relative to each other,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 1, and Figure 5 is asection on line 5-5, Figure 3. The apparatus includes a holder element 6' in the ,form of a pistol of suitable type for firing blank cartridges. The barrel I of the pistol has arranged thereon and inencompassing relation with respect thereto between its transverse median and its inner end, an axially apertured circular shield 8 formed at its outer edge with a forwardly directed right angularly disposed annular flange 9'. The shield 8 is anchored to barrel I by the holdfast means 9" which is disposed at the inner side of the shield. The latter may be of any diameter desired. V p

The apparatus includes a-wing like targetelement [0 formed of a pair of oppositely extending outer parts H, t2 and an intermediate part [3; The element II! is preferably formed of a length of paper stock of'the desired thickness, but'it is to be understood that any suitable material may be employed. V V

The element Hi is formed with a forward and a rear edge l4, l5 respectively. The former is curved, extends in the same are throughout and is of greater-length than edge l5. 'I'he l'atter consists of a pair of oppositely disposed edge pcr-" tions l6, l1 of-ogeecurvature merging into each other at the transverse median of element Hi. The outer ends of the edge portions 16, ll merge into the ends of the edge l4 whereby each end of element I0 is pointed as 'at I8 19. The said pointed. ends are arranged in alignment and rearwardly of the axis of saidelement Ill.

The outer parts Ii, I2 gradually increase in width from the pointed ends l8, I9 respectively to the intermediate part 13. The parts II, [2 have their outer faces formed with oppositely extending diagonally disposed crimps 20, 21 extending from the intermediate part l3 to the points l8, l9 respectively. The 'outer parts ll, l2 having theirinner faces scoredwhi'ch align and are coextensive with the crimps 20, M respectively. Only one of the scores isshown and is indicatedvat 22, Figured.v p

The intermediate part l3, at the intersection of its horizontal and transverse medians, is formed with an opening 24 disposed at the axis I of the element l0. The part I3 is also formed 45 with a. pair of oppositely disposed slits or cuts 25, 26 of like form. Each slit or cut has a semi-circular intermediate portion 21 and a pair of spaced endwise opposed, oppositely extending straight portions 28, 29 opening at their inner ends in the ends of the portion 21. The outer end of the portions 28, 29 are closed. The said straight portions are disposed at right angles to the ends of portion 21. The portions 21 of the cuts 25, 26 are arranged on opposite sides of and are spaced from opening 24. The outer ends of the portions 28, 29 terminate at the points of mergence of part [3 with the parts I I, I2.

That portion of the part l3 between the slits or cuts 25, 26 forms an abutment 30 and the portions of part [3 outwardly adjacent the slits or cuts 25, 26 provide retainers 3|, 32 respectively. The purpose of abutment 30 and retainers 3!, 32 will be hereinafter referred to.

The apparatus includes a carrier element 33 for the element l0. Preferably the carrier will be set up from an exploded shot gun shell to reduce the cost to a minimum. The inner diameter of carrier 33 will be such as to readily permit it to be slidably mounted upon barrel 1. The carrier 33 has an open rear end 34 and a closed forward end 35. The forward end 35 of carrier 33 is formed with a laterally disposed annular flange 3B. As the carrier 33 is set up from an exploded shot gun shell, its end 35 is formed with an exploded cap 31. The carrier 33 is positioned against the inner face of abutment 30 of element H! with the exploded cap 31 directly opposing the opening 24. The inner edges of the retainers 3|, 32 of part l3 are then arranged to abut the outer periphery of the carrier 33 inwardly of the flange 36. When carrier 33 and element ID are in the position just referred to, the abutment 30 is extended from the retainers 3|, 32 whereby element Ill and carrier 33 are clamped together due to the position of the intermediate part of element In with respect to the forward end of the carrier 33.

The crimps and scores provide for the contraction of the element II! when the latter is projected in flight and provide for the extending or expanding of element [0 when the latter is descending.

The element Ill and carrier or element 33 are projected together due to the clamping of one to the other in the manner aforesaid. The carrier 33, with element HJ clamped to the forward end thereof, is positioned on barrel 1 in a manner whereby its rear end will abut shield 8 and its closed forward end be disposed in the path of travel of the products of the exploded cartridge fired by the pistol, whereby on the firing of the cartridge the elements It] and 33 will be projected bodily together in the air. When the cartridge is fired, the shield 8 prevents the gases and unburned powder from burning the hand of the operator, and also acts as a buffer to the escaping gases from the exploded cartridge and thereby increases the propelling power.

When element H] is projected into the air it provides a target simulating a bird on the wing. The manner of setting up element In decreases resistance to the air when projected and provides for a ballooning effect on its descent to increase flutter thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A wing target apparatus comprising a holder element having a part for supporting a blank cartridge, a part for exploding the cartridge and a part for conducting off therefrom the products of the explosion, a hollow carrier element normally slidably mounted upon said conducting off part and having a closed forward end positioned in the path of and propelled by said products, a target element of wing like form, said carrier and target elements having coacting means for clamping the target element upon the outer end of the carrier element to provide for the target element being bodily carried by the carrier element on the propulsion of the latter, and a shield encompassing said conducting off part intermediate the ends of the latter and abutting the inner end of the carrier element when the latter is mounted on the holder element.

2. In a wing target apparatus, a target element of wing like form, and a hollow propellable carrier element having a closed forward and an open rear end, said target element and carrier element having inherent coacting interengaging means for clamping the target element upon the forward end of the carrier element, the coacting means of the target element being disposed lengthwise of the latter.

3. In a wing target apparatus, a contractible and expandible target element of Wing like form, and a hollow propellable carrier element having a closed forward end and an open rear end for the entrance of propelling means therefor, said target element and carrier element having inherent coacting interengaging parts for clamping the target element about the outer periphery of the carrier element in proximity to the forward end of the latter.

4. In a wing target apparatus, a contractible and expandible elongated target element of wing like form, and a hollow propellable carrier element having a closed forward end an open rear end for the entrance of propelling means therefor, said target element and carrier element having inherent coacting interengaging means for clamping the target element upon the outer periphery of the carrier element, the coacting part of the target element being disposed centrally of and positioned adjacent to the lengthwise edges and to the sides of the lengthwise median of the target element.

5. In a wing target apparatus, a target element comprising a one-piece body of wing like form having a pair of oppositely disposed end parts and an intermediate part, said end parts gradually decreasing in width from their inner ends to their outer ends from said intermediate parts, said outer parts having pointed outer ends, and said intermediate part being formed with spaced opposed slits having curved intermediate portions, said curved portions being oppositely disposed, and said slits forming said intermediate part with an abutment portion and a pair of retainer portions spaced from said abutment portion, said retainer portions and abutment portion being so formed for clamping said element upon a propellable carrier element for the target element.

6. In a wing target apparatus, a target element comprising a one-piece body of wing like form having a pair of oppositely disposed end parts and an intermediate part, said end parts grad ually decreasing in width from their inner ends to their outer ends from said intermediate parts, said outer parts having pointed outer ends, and said intermediate part being formed with spaced opposed slits having curved intermediate portions, said curved portions being oppositely disposed, said slits forming said intermediate part with an abutment portion and a pair of retainer portions spaced from said abutment portion, said retainer portions and abutment portion being so formed for clamping said element upon a propellable carrier element for the target element, and said end parts having their outer faces formed with oppositelyextending diagonally disposed form having a pair of oppositely disposed end parts and an intermediate part, said end parts gradually decreasing in width from their inner ends to their outer ends from said intermediate parts, said outer parts having pointed outer ends, and said intermediate part being formed with spaced opposed slits having curved intermediate portions, said curved portions being oppositely disposed, said slits forming said intermediate part with an abutment portion and a pair of retainer portions spaced from said abutment portion, said retainer portions and abutment portion being so formed for clamping said element upon a propellable carrier element for the target element, said end parts having their outer faces formed with oppositely extending diagonally disposed crimps lengthwise thereof and their inner faces with oppositely extending diagonally disposed scores lengthwise thereof aligning with said crimps, and said body having a forward edge and an inner edge, said forward edge being curved and upon the same arc throughout, said inner edge being formed of a pair of oppositely disposed portions of ogee curvature merging into each other at the transverse median of said body, and said portions of ogee curvature having their outer ends merging into the ends of said forward edge.

8. In a wing targets apparatus, a target element, and a propellable carrier element for said target element, said carrier element being laterally flanged at its forward end, and said target element having means for seating directly against the forward end of the target element and spaced means for engaging under said flange whereby the target element is clamped to the forward end of the carrier element.

9. In a wing target apparatus, .a target element, and a propellable carrier element for said target element, said carrier element being laterally flanged at its forward end, said target element having means for seating directly against the forward end of the target element and spaced means for engaging under said flange whereby the target element is clamped to the forward end of the carrier element, and said target element having means disposed lengthwise thereof to provide for its contracting and expanding when moving upwardly and downwardly respectively.

LOUIS C. BAUMAN. 

